When it comes to refrigerators nowadays, options go far beyond simply getting a glass of ice water without having to open the door. With custom panels, you can get a built-in that exactly matches your kitchen cabinets. And forget four doors—some newer models have five or more. You can even pull out a refrigerated drawer and find it full of frosty sodas. Our fridge-by-fridge guide helps you choose the right type for your family, demystifies claimed vs. usable storage space, and helps you find the quietest models—so you, and your groceries, can chill out.

Find the Best Refrigerator for Your Kitchen

We test, evaluate, and compare the latest refrigerators so that you can save time and money.

How We Rate Refrigerators

In our labs, each refrigerator we test gets wired up with temperature sensors. We then monitor them for more than a month in a temperature-controlled chamber to evaluate thermostat control and temperature uniformity.

CR’s test engineers collect more than 5.4 million temperature readings for each model to detect warm and cold spots and determine which refrigerators will keep your food fresh longest. The results reveal that many refrigerators simply don’t do well at their primary task, and that could mean more wasted food and bigger grocery bills.

To test the freezer compartments of refrigerators, our engineers fill the appliances with boxes and boxes of frozen spinach, then evaluate how well they keep the packages frozen.

In addition, we measure usable storage capacity, which rarely matches what manufacturers claim. Our engineers then use these measurements to calculate energy efficiency. Finally, we incorporate survey data collected from CR members to judge predicted reliability and owner satisfaction for each brand and refrigerator type.

Pick A Style

There's a refrigerator configuration to suit every household. French-door models are exploding in popularity. Some consumers prefer the convenience of bottom freezers, which put fresh foods at eye level, but top freezers and side-by-sides can make more efficient use of space in a smaller kitchen. Here's what you need to know to make the best choice. See our full refrigerator ratings for how models in the different sizes and styles below performed in our tests.

Top-Freezer

A traditional refrigerator, that's good for a lot of storage in a fairly tight spot. These tend to offer the most space for their size (widths vary between 28 and 33 inches). Manufacturers claim up to 23-cubic-foot capacities, but our tests found average usable capacity is 17 percent less. Allow for a wide swing of the doors, and get used to crouching down to reach lower shelves and drawers.

Bottom-Freezer

They range from 24 to 36 inches wide and claimed capacities approach 30 cubic feet, though average usable space is less than that of comparable top-freezers (and top-freezers cost less too). Instead of the freezer, which you use less, being at eye level, your refrigerator shelves are easily scan-able. Just get used to bending to rifle through frozen goods.

French-Door

It has two narrow doors on top, and a freezer below. Sometimes there is one drawer (or more) in between. Widths range from 28 to 36 inches. Claimed capacities go up to 34 cubic feet, though the average usable space is much less at 17 cubic feet. The space-saving small-swing doors have the added value of opening only half the fridge when stashing smaller items.

Side-by-Side

With the fridge on one side and freezer on the other, these usually have through-the-door ice and water dispensers. With widths typically 33 to 36 inches, they claim roughly up to 28 cubic feet capacity (but only about 70 percent is usable). Narrow doors are a plus for small kitchens, but don’t open wide enough for, say, a pizza box, and tall, narrow compartments make items stuck at the back hard to find. Overall, they’re not as energy- or space-efficient as other types.

Built-In

Pricey and made to fit almost flush with cabinets and counters, these sleek beauties come in bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and French-door styles. These are usually wide (30 to 48 inches), with up to 27 cubic feet capacity (of which only about 70 percent is usable). Look for optional front panels to match your kitchen cabinets. Or get the look for a little less with freestanding counter-depth versions. Another built-in option: A column fridge, as narrow as 18 inches, to make the most of a kitchen nook.

Compact or Mini

Perfect for a dorm room, your office, or a kitchenette. Keep in mind that some models have only one quarter the capacity of a regular fridge, but cost just as much to operate. Temperature performance can be iffy in some models (allowing it to rise above 40 degrees F, the point at which your food starts to sprout harmful bacteria), so save these minis for sodas and other beverages or for temporary storage of snacks (rather than milk, mayo, or other perishables). Consumer Reports does not currently test compact and mini fridges.

Consider Size

Most refrigerator configurations come in a range of sizes and capacities. Always measure where you plan to put the refrigerator before you shop. And check that it can fit through doorways. Allow room for the refrigerator's doors to swing open, and for a one-inch clearance around sides and back for adequate airflow.

As for capacity, most manufacturers recommend 19 to 22 cubic feet for a family of four. But if you do a big weekly shopping trip or buy in bulk, you may need more—up to 30 to 33 cubic feet. Note: Our tests found that the amount of usable storage capacity was often less than the amount claimed. Check our refrigerator ratings for more.

Interactive Buying Guide

For more, watch our interactive video below, which has chapters you can skip to about types, capacity, features, and how we test.

Decode the EnergyGuide Label

Energy efficiency has become a big selling point with consumers. All new refrigerators are a lot more efficient than they were a decade ago, but here's a look behind the label—to help you go as green as possible.

The EPA Energy Star rating is a good place to start when shopping; it means that a product is in or around the top 25 percent of the market, but efficiency varies by model (i.e. an unlabeled top-freezer might be more efficient than an Energy Star-approved French door model). Additionally, we test for energy consumption, which can add up to a $50-60 difference a year, more than $500 over the life of the unit.

For an apples-to-apples comparison of which models are most efficient, look at the EnergyGuide labels of the refrigerators you’re considering, and compare the annual operating costs and the kilowatt-hours used per year.

We give all the refrigerators we test an overall score for energy efficiency and list their estimated annual energy cost. You can check our refrigerator ratings for details.

Five Features You'll Want

Refrigerators at all price points are increasingly tricked out with options to make your life easier and more organized. French-door models are usually the most loaded. Just know if you can't live without adjustable shelving or an in-door coffee maker, you'll have to pay top dollar. The features below are the ones we think will make you happiest. For more, check our refrigerator ratings.

Through-the-Door Ice and Water Dispenser

This is one of the features most requested by buyers. Caveat: We found that models with this convenience also require the most repairs. Energy costs are higher, too, and you trade ice water for storage space.

Photo: Maytag

Door-in-Door Storage Access

Without opening the entire door, you can grab frequently-used beverages and condiments. That will save on energy costs in the long run.

Temperature Controls

You decide how cold your fridge is in certain areas. For example, set a drawer to be cooler than the rest of the fridge to better store meat, fish, and cold cuts.

Photo: Whirlpool

Better Shelves and Drawers

You can re-arrange split shelves to different heights independently, and adjust doors to fit taller items. However, if your door has deep storage bins meant for eggs, milk, or butter, be aware that these items are better off on internal shelves where cooler temperatures keep them fresher longer. Elevator shelves crank up and down, without needing to be unloaded. Shelf snuggers attach to racks to secure bottles and jars. Pullout shelves or bins make access to stored items easier.

Photo: Whirlpool

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